During the intertestamental period, how do you think the average Israelite would resolve the dynamic tension between the proclamation of the universal worship of God (Mal 1:5,11,14; 3:12; 4:5-6) and the particular separation of Israel (Mal 2:10-12; 3:16-18; 4:1-6)? Which would be the easier of the two emphases to default to, and why?

What kind of mission outreach to the Gentiles do you think would have arisen out of the collective efforts of pious Jewish homes outside the land of Israel, such as that described in Philipplians 3:1-6? What would be two foundational assumptions of the “evangelistic message” of these missionary efforts?

In light of the words of Mary (Lk 1:45-55), Zacharias (Lk 1:67-79), and Simeon (Lk 2:25-35), how would you summarize these pious Jews’ expectation of the coming of the Messiah? What was their view of the way in which the Gentiles would fit into the picture?